I hate talking about myself. I do. I really hate it. I’m not a talker; I’m a writer. When, in conversation, someone turns to me and wants to know all about me, I freeze up, I get shy, I try to say as little as possible and then I change the subject, trying to turn…
Truth be told, I hate writing intros to stuff like this. The title says it all, really. Yet somehow I’m supposed to still have an intro, right? So here’s the deal: It’s the holidays. You’re shopping. You might not know what to get some of the weirdos in your life. So, on their behalf, here…
With the release of her new book about creativity, Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert (known for her book Eat Pray Love) is in the news. A little over a month ago, a blog reader sent me this interview that Marie Forleo did with Gilbert. I had heard of her prior to that but had not read anything of…
Nirrimi Firebrace. What kind of name is that? I thought, as I walked to the appropriate building for Nirrimi’s workshop on the third day of the creativity convention I was attending, Promoting Passion. I knew nothing about her besides the description in the convention’s agenda, which was a bit vague. She was a blogger and…
You’re trying to work, but you’re stumped. You’ve been sitting too long. You’re pulling your hair out. Nothing’s working. You’re hating everything you do. You need a pick-me-up. Something to snap you out of it, or more appropriately, INTO it. So what do you do? See this guy: Yeah, well, it’s something like that. I put…
Because I don’t say this enough. Music: “Untouchable, Part 1” by Anathema
In one of my recent e-mails to my subscribers, I asked my readers to share what they’re struggling with creatively. One reader said she has trouble getting to the Work (painting, in her case) — not so much because of time constraints, but because she can’t get past a paralyzing inner fear. She has creative…
A writer friend of mine called me “prolific” recently. Well, he said I was more prolific than he is, but still. I wasn’t sure what to make of it. I don’t feel prolific. I never have. I’ve always felt like I’m not doing enough. Whatever I’m doing, I could be doing more. I should…
Are you on the hunt for good fiction? Are you finding yourself lost, staring at the shelves, not sure where to turn? Are you feeling like there used to be so much great stuff to read, but now … most of the books you look at just seem … shallow? Yeah, well, me, too. I…
If you’re working a day job or going to school AND making art, you’re my hero. If you stay positive about it most of the time, you’re my even bigger hero. Seriously. I know how tough it is. Every day, it hurts you. It drains your energy. It makes you drag your feet. You’re…